In a unique operation ahead of the Diwali season, teams from the Commercial Tax Department conducted surprise raids on firecracker traders in several Rajasthan cities including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Hindaun. What made this raid stand out was the creative disguise adopted by the officers — posing as astrologers to track down illegal firecracker warehouses.
According to officials, the department’s personnel arrived at Hindaun dressed as astrologers and approached traders, offering to “increase their profits” through auspicious rituals. They convinced one such trader to allow them into his warehouse under the pretext of performing a puja to enhance his business. Once inside, the officers exposed the illegal storage and trading activities.
The department had earlier been receiving reports of large-scale tax evasion and unaccounted sales of firecrackers during the festive season. Officials used innovative reconnaissance methods to determine who was selling goods without proper billing and how massive quantities were being sold off-the-books.
Raids were carried out at two locations in Jodhpur, and one each in Jaipur, Kishangarh, and Hindaun. Sources said stock registers and account books recovered from these warehouses revealed widespread irregularities. Preliminary estimates suggest transactions worth several crores were made without bills, indicating large-scale tax evasion.
Commercial Tax Commissioner Kumar Pal Gautam stated that such innovative actions will continue throughout the festive season to curb tax theft. He added that the department is taking strict action against all traders involved in unbilled transactions.
Interestingly, a similar operation was also carried out recently against dry fruit traders using comparable tactics.
